Global Middle Ages: Persian-German Encounters from Alexander the Great to Goethe

German-Persian encounters in literature are manifold, even before their famous representation by Goethe and the Romantics. In this course, we will explore both literary traditions, entering the fantastic realms of monsters and dreamers, lovers and adventurers. Texts will include epic poetry, mysticism, fables, and other genres. As Goethe showed so prominently in his poetry collection "West-Eastern Diwan", the rift between East and West can easily be bridged, as can our divide of Modernity and the Middle Ages. All texts will be available in English.